Popular Posts

Serbia negotiating new long haul flights

Get link

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Email

Other Apps

The Serbian government has said it is negotiating the introduction of new long haul services from Belgrade to Asia and North America set to launch next year. The Minister for Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Zorana Mihajlović, noted that talks will soon begin with Hainan Airlines to upgrade its Beijing - Prague - Belgrade operations to nonstop flights. "The service was established three months ago on a trial basis to test interest on the market. Based on the data we have received, the flights are always full and have proved profitable for the airline, so we can now start negotiating the establishment of a nonstop Belgrade - Beijing service. There are also talks concerning several other destinations in China", Ms Mihajlović said. She added, "The aviation sector is one of the fastest growing means of transportation in Serbia and is fully harmonised with European and world standards. This is one of the main reasons we have managed to secure flights to certain destinations, such as New York and Beijing, other countries have been trying to for years but have been unable to so far".

Hainan Airlines previously told EX-YU Aviation News it would either up frequencies or introduce a nonstop service from Beijing to Belgrade next spring if there is sufficient demand. "We will adjust these plans based on market demand. We will evaluate the possibilities whether to increase frequencies or operate nonstop before the summer season", the carrier said in October. Hainan holds fifth freedom rights between Prague and Belgrade, allowing it to sell tickets on the sector. The Mayor of Belgrade, Siniša Mali, noted recently that he would hold talks with Hainan and suggest for the route from the Chinese capital to operate nonstop and then continue on to Sarajevo. Furthermore, Mr Mali said that services from a second Chinese city are expected to be launched "very soon". The Serbian government has also entered into negotiations for the establishment of scheduled cargo-only flights between Hangzhou and Niš.

The Minister for Construction, Transport and Infrastructure further noted that the government is anticipating the introduction of flights to Canada in 2018. "We are talking to and working with Canada as well to try and secure nonstop flights", Ms Mihajlović said. Last month it was reported that Air Serbia is considering launching services to Toronto as its second long haul route. In a statement, the carrier said at the time, "We are working on a complete analysis and we are seriously considering all aspects. A final decision on the potential introduction of a new transcontinental service will be made in the coming period". Transport Canada, which regulates aviation matters in the country, has told EX-YU Aviation News it is "aware that Air Serbia may be interested in serving the Canada - Serbia market". It added, "Canada concluded its first Air Transport Agreement with Serbia in December 2006. No further talks have taken place since that time. The agreement is being applied administratively, meaning the rights set out in the agreement are available to air carriers now, pending its ratification".

I'm curious to know where exactly will EY will have alot of spare capacity? As we know EY are shell shocked with their recent loses, and rumours have it their on the verge of major airframe delivery cancellations. Jet Airways seems to be doing fine so where's their extra airframe coming from? Regarding Chinese flights Beijing was a good will gesture to the anticipated BEG airport concession take over until they realized the books were being cooked. I don't know, but usually when something is to good to be true it usually isn't. Let's see how things play out.

Yes a good will gesture. That's why they plan to increase flights to Belgrade or go nonstop and that's why a second route from China is being negotiated. I wonder if the people who write bull like Anon 9.20, also known as "noir-dresses" on a Croatian forum actually believe in what they write.

Read up on what's going on at the HNA group. It's been in the news lately not to mention that the Chinese government has ordered private Chinese companies to scale down foreign investment. And who said it was "theirs for the taking"? People making up how the Chinese are getting the concession 100% does not mean it was their for the taking. Before that it was the Arabs 100% and then the French 100%. And you think Chinese saw Belgrade Airport was cooking the books like you said but not other world established companies? Or you probably have a theory they have stayed in the running as a "good will gesture" too?

China’s HNA Group Is Looking to Offload Billions in Overseas Property Amid Worries About Its Debt

Chinese HNA Group is offloading commercial properties in major cities as it looks to pay off the debt that has funded over $40 billion worth of acquisitions since 2015.According to the Wall Street Journal, the sharp reversal of the company’s recent buying spree, which resulted in more than 80 deals in recent years—from large stakes in Deutsche Bank (DB, -1.65%), the Hilton (HLT, +0.00%) hotel chain, and many of other businesses—comes about as the company’s liquidity has come under pressure and borrowing costs have increased, causing investors to grow concerned about the company’s ability to pay off tens of billions in debt that comes due next year.

There's a big difference between wishing, and a feasible well calculated analysis on the numbers/demand, and supply.

Nobody still answered my earlier question regarding where is the additional airframe coming from for 6 JFK rotatations, and additional YYZ service? Now if it were 4 JFK rotations, and let's say 2 YYZ rotations a week then yes it's feasible with JUs resources as of now.

It's natural for a competitor country to assess what the competition is doing, especially when the competitor is practising alot of poaching in your local market. It's normal practice everywhere in the aviation industry to assess the situation, adjust, and compete so get with the program, and grow up.

It's not as if the whole company functioned only because of one man. They have probably done their feasibility now. Like it says in the article Transport Canada is aware that JU wants to fly to YYZ and the word is they have asked for slots too.

His successor is a person who was brought in to cut costs a month aggo. I don't see how launching Toronto would cut Air Serbia's costs so I think it is much less likely they will fly to Toronto now that Dane is gone. Plus, I don't think Naysmith will be so easily persuaded by politicians for JU to fly somewhere.

We heard before that BEG was not likely to get Cat 1, that Air Serbia was not likely to get A319, that DoT is not likely to give them approval for JFK, that ZAG is not happening, that PEK is not likely... didn't you learn anything? Plus ownership structure didn't change a bit, Govt still has 51% majority.

Koreans got CSA, but we don't see this company really improving. So, let's not start dreaming again like with Arabs. If they get the concession they will want to make as bigger profit as they can. They aren't coming to run a charity organization or to create a dream land.

Arabs have done quite well. Increased passenger numbers for the airline by over 1 million, introduced at least a net of 10 new routes, launched transatlantic flights, introduced a functioning frequent flyer program, opened a dedicated lounge, introduced online checkin. All in all in very good for 4 years.

The topic is long haul flights and I think they did a lot to facilitate these long haul flights. They got moving on air service agreements, talks with relevant authorities etc. That goes for New York and Beijing and from what it looks like Toronto too.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no fan of the administration but on this aspect I have to give them credit, probably the only aspect they deserve credit.

Hahahahahahaha so now Air Serbia launched flights to New York so US could butter up Serbia because of Kosovo. I have heard of so many reasons why Air Serbia introduced flights to New York. It was first because of elections. Every time any route in Serbia opens there is a posy of people who come to explain the conspiracy behind the introduction.

Maybe it was introduced because there is sufficient demand, especially during the summer. So maybe that's why they will fly there six times per week next summer.

While back, JU flew to Chicago via Cleveland only for about a year, something like 1995. Later on, JU flew twice weekly BEG-ZAG-ORD, twice weekly BEG-ORD-LAX, plus twice weekly to CLE/DTW, once via ZAG, once via LJU. In summer season, of course, reduced in winter to once weekly ORD-LAX, and once CLE/DTW, with all year round twice weekly BEG-ZAG-LAX, all with DC10

Is there any interest from Air Serbia to fly to Amman? With the current situation in the Middle East, Amman is the main airport for many Syrians, Palestinians and Iraqis and it can be a perfect destination to pick up transit passengers going further to western Europe and north America.

Main focus should be strengthening the regional network which is abysmal. Romania - largest market in the neighbourhood lies totally unexploited. Air Serbia could have three destinations in Romania and Romanians seem keen on flying with JU. Let's not forget South/Western Ukraine, Southern Poland, Hungary all within ATR reach.

The focus on Ex-Yu (markets seeing same fluctuations as the O&D one) has been a disaster.

In the first 8 months Belgrade recorded a 20% increase in tourist numbers. With Iranian charters, Hainan (which started flying only in September) and many others, I don't see why it's unrealistic.

Just look at the number of Turkish and Israeli tourists. I think the latter grew by some 245% this year. Indians are also starting to arrive and so will many others. Belgrade's great advantage is that it's cheap to reach from any part of the world all thanks to healthy competition at BEG.

And by the way, take a look at airlines like Transavia, Swiss, Qatar or Vueling which are not waiting for June (like Air Serbia) to increase their flights but are doing it in March which can only mean advance bookings are solid.

Belgrade isn't a sun and beach destination meaning that most of these (European) tourists have come for an extended weekend. The number of American and Chinese tourists in Serbia goes to show that it was the right move to introduce both PEK and JFK.

Post a comment

EX-YU Aviation News does not tolerate insults, excessive swearing, racist, homophobic or any other chauvinist remarks or provocative posts with the intention of creating further arguments. A full list of comment guidelines can be found here. Thank you for your cooperation.